I hope this column finds its way into your hands, and before your eyes before December 25, in the year of our Lord, 2014. I hope you have hands to hold the paper and eyes to read.
It is my sincere hope that this holiday season (the one so many folks in the western world celebrate to honor and recognize the birth of one Jesus of Nazareth) finds you in good health and warmly ensconced with the feelings and spirit of your loved ones.
Be you Christian, Jew, Muslim, Wiccan, agnostic or atheist (fill in your own, personal blank), I wish you a Merry Christmas. I do this not to force feed you my own thoughts or beliefs, rather to bestow upon you my most valued of assets, my love and hope. It’s yours. Even if you don’t want it, accept it and maybe re-gift it as your own and pass it on.
The late singer Elvis Presley had a song on one of his Christmas albums I like. Actually, there are a few, but one kind of stands out. If Every Day Were Like Christmas, is a simple song and was actually written by one of his body guards, Red West. Here are the words:
I hear the bells
Saying Christmas is near
They ring out to tell the world
That this is the season of cheer

I hear a choir
Singing sweetly somewhere
And a glow fills my heart, I’m at peace with the world
As the sound of their singing fills the air

Oh, why can’t every day be like Christmas
Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly
For if everyday could be just like Christmas
What a wonderful world this would be

I hear a child
Telling Santa what to bring
And the smile upon his tiny face
Is worth more to me than anything

Oh, why can’t everyday be like Christmas
Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly
For if everyday could be just like Christmas
What a wonderful world this would be . . .
For many, many folks this time of year is a time of much sadness and grief. Christmases past, lives past come back to haunt through no fault of your own. You are in my thoughts as I write, today and tomorrow.
There are those whose own life choices have left them alone and less fulfilled. You are in my thoughts now and this I say to you: if you are able, fill the emptiness this season by seeking out and helping those in need your help. Be their hero, if only for a few hours or minutes.
If you find the holidays are just too darned stressful and not fun and not joyous any more . . .
. . . STOP IT!
Pinch yourself. Maybe you’re spending too much time, effort, energy and money on your friends, family and yourself. Maybe you think you have to make sure your house is the best decorated; or your kids have the best clothes and coolest toys so they will be envied by their peers.
If you’re buying gifts, and doing all holiday stuff you have to only to make sure others think you are amazing, you are buying gifts and doing all the holiday stuff for the wrong reasons. You, my friend, have bought into the mixed messages brought to you by keeping up with the Jones and your buddies in mass marketing. You are stressed and not happy and you have only yourself to blame.
Luckily, you can breathe a sigh of relief. It is okay. This is the season of miracles! You, me, all of us can find our smiles again.
Instead of giving your golden children everything they want (that you bought) give them hugs, laughter and the spirit of togetherness. (Together give those presents to the less fortunate.)
Show empathy. Teach conciliatory lessons. Be the peacemaker. Forgive your boss, your neighbors, the family members you are resentful towards. Forgive yourself. Make this holiday season, this Christmastime a time of doing what is right; not just doing what is best for yourself, but doing what is simply right.
Make this Christmas the start of something new, something you can do all the time; something you can do everyday, just like Red West wrote.
To you all I give love. I give peace. I give you hope.
Merry Christmas!
Email comments to, Don@ShermanPublications.org